Egg tray



Nov. 30 1926.

, E. W. NELSON EGG TRAY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May' 1926 &

fl/NVENTOR Elli/V 2 ATTORNEY.

Nov. 30 1926.

E. w. NELSON EGG TRAY Filed May 26, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2llllllllllI-IIllllfl 1-1 TTORNE Y.

Patented Nov. 30, 1926 UNITED STATES 1,609,181 PATENT ()FFICE.

ERNST 'W'. NELSON, OF ONG. I\TEBRASKA EGG TRAY.

Application filed May 26,

This invention relates to incubator trays and pertains particularly toan egg turning tray.

The primary object of this invention is the provision, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, of an egg turner tray having a slat revolvingmechanism of improved structure, easily and quickly applied or removed,and adapted to be adjusted to keep the working parts always in closepositive engagement.

Another object of the invention is the pro vision, inva manner ashereinafter set forth, of an incubator egg turner tray having a new andnovel roller mounting therefor.

The invention has for another and final object, the provision in amanner as hereinafter set forth, ofan incubator egg turner tray of lightbut'strong'and durable construction, adapted to smoothly and easily turnthe eggs placed therein without danger of injury to the same, andcomparatively in expensive to manufacture and set up.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of thefollowing detailed description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings forming a part of this specification, with the understandingthat the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with theshowing of the drawings but may be changed and modified so long as suchchanges and modifications mark no material departure from the salientfeatures of the invention as expressed in the appended claim.

In the drawings Figure 1 shows the tray embodying this invention in topplan view.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional View taken upon the line 2-2 ofFigure 1.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the tray and,

Figure 4 is a trans verse section taken upon the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Referring nowto the drawings in detail wherein like numerals ofreference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views,there is shown an open frame formed of the side rails 1 and 2 and endrails 3 and 4. As is shown in Figure 2, the side rails are of greaterdepth than the end rails 3 and 4 the top edges of the four rails,however, being in the same plane.

Extending between the side rails 1 and 2 and connected thereto a slightdistance inwardly of the ends thereof, are cross bars 5 1925. Serial No.111,781.

the top edge of each of which is in the same plane as the lower edge ofthe adjacent end rail while the lower edge of each of the cross bars 5is flush with thelower edge of the side rails 1 and 2. Revolubly mountedbetween the side rails 1 and 2, between the outer face of each cross bar5 and theend edge of the Side rails, are roller members 6.

Formed longitudinally of the inner face of each of the side rails 1 and2, is a groove 7 which is substantially in alignment with the lower edgeof the end rails 3 and 4 and passes over the top edge of the connectingbars 5. Secured along the lower portion of the inner face of each of theside rails 1 and 2 is a bar 8 having the top edge thereof flush with thelower side of the slot 7 and further having an inwardly extending flange9 extending throughout its length.

Extending longitudinally of the frame and connecting the cross bars 5,is a pair of spaced parallel bar members 10, these bars being ofsubstantially the same height as the cross bars 5 as shown in Figure 4.

Extending longitudinally of and along the inner face of each of the siderails 1 and 2, is a fabric belt 11 which belt lies upon the adjacent bar8 and flange 9 thereof, and has one side edge positioned in the adjacentgroove 7 of the side rail. This belt on each side of the frame, has itsends extended beyond and over the roller member 6 at each end of theframe and the ends of each belt are brought back beneath the frame andsecured to one of a pair of cross bars 12 and 13. These cross bars 12and 13 extend transversely beneath the frame and beneath thelongitudinally extending bars 10, and each has secured thereto a pair ofcleats or guide members 14. As is shown in Figure 3 these guide membersor cleats 14 are so arranged upon their supporting bars 12 and 13 thatone cleat 14 carried by the bar 12 will be positioned upon one side ofthe bar 10 in opposition to a cleat 14 carried upon the other bar 13which is positioned upon the other side of the same bar 10. Securinstraps 15 are passed about the bars 12 and 13 to draw the same togetherprimarily for the purpose of tightening the belt or strap 11. At thesame time these securing straps 15 hold the cross bars 12 and 13 in sucha manner that the same can be moved as a single unit, the spaced cleats14 of the two bars acting as guide members upon both sides of thelongitudinally extending bars 10.

Extending transversely of the frame between the side rails 1 and 2,above the slot 7, is a plurality of roller members 16, each of whichmembers has a trunnion 17 in the end thereof, which trunnion is extendedinto the adjacent side rail. Each of the roller members 16 has securedto one end thereof a toothed wheel 18 and, as is clearly shown inFigures 1 and 2, these toothed Wheels alternate with the wheelless endsof the rollers, placing the wheeled end of one roller next to thewheelless end of the adjacent roller.- The wheelless ends of the rollers18 are slightly reduced in diameter as indicated at 19' thus making itpossible for a closer positioning of the rollers 16 for, as is shownthetoothed wheels extend into these reduced portions 19.

As is clearly shown in Figures 2 and l,- the toothed wheel's bearagainst and bite into the fabric belt 11 and it will be readily seenthatupon shifting the transverse bars 12 and 13 longitudinally of the frame,the belt 11 will be caused to pass about their rollers 6 beneath thetoothed wheels 18 causing these Wheels to revolve and consequentlyrevolving the rollers upon which they are carried.

Fitted over and secured to the frame which is composed of the rails 1,2,- 3 and at, is a top frame structure formed of the side and end rails2O, 21, 22 and 23. The rails 22 and 23 form the end rails of the frameand these rails are provided with vertical grooves upon their innerfaces to receive the longitudinally extending egg spacing strips 24.

As shown these egg spacing strips 24 extend downwardly through the slotsin the end rails 22 and 23 of the upper frame and rest upon the endrails 3 and 4: of the main frame structure of the tray. The spacingstrips are so positioned above the roller members 16 as to bring theapertures 25 which are formed through the strips substantially inalignment with the longitudinal axis of the eggs when the same are laidupon the roller members.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen thatthe eggturning tray herein described, will give eliicient and durable service,as all of the eggs placed therein can be easily turned by simply movingthe connected cross bars 12 and 13 longitiulinally of the frame. Furtherthan this a positive contact is made with all of the toothed wheels 18so that all of the rollers will be sulre to turn when the belts aremoved.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is An incubator eggturner tray of the character described, comprising a frame, transversesubstantially parallel egg supporting rollers mountedtherein,substantially parallel longitudinally extending guide bars in said framebeneath said rollers, a flexible belt extending longitudinally of eachside of said frame beneath the ends of said rollers, means carried uponthe ends of said rollers and contacting with said belts for revolutionthereby, a pair of transversely extending members, lying beneath saidguide bars and having the ends of said belts secured thereto, meanscarried by said members and engaging said bars for guiding the memberstherealong, and adjustable securing elements connecting: said pair ofmembers together.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature hereto.

ERNST W. NELSON.

